Hout Bay is often called the Heart of the Cape, a 20 minute drive from the Cape Town city centre, almost halfway between Cape Town and Cape Point. Houtbaai, named by Dutch explorers, literally translated means Wood Bay.

Jan van Riebeeck described Hout Bay as having the most beautiful forests he had ever seen. The timber was used to help build the fort at Cape Town and the subsequent port that grew to Cape Town city.

Hout Bay was then divided up into a few farms Kronendal, Moddergat and Ruyteplaats. Over time the farms were divided up however today Hout Bay still enjoys a rural atmosphere with several equestrian estates and small holdings.

Hout Bay has become very popular as a seaside resort town with its unique location at the start of the Atlantic Seaboard and yet still only thirty minutes drive from most of Cape Towns top attractions. Hout Bay is recognised as one of South Africa’s leading destinations for local tourists and has become a popular place for international tourists to base their South African holiday. A growing bed and breakfast industry supports the demand from holidaymakers. Hout Bay real estate now includes holiday accommodation, family homes ranging from apartments to seaview properties in security estates.

Quick Hout Bay Facts:

Latitude: -34.030746 Longitude 18.350962

Hout Bay Climate: Moderate with average maximum around 28°C, Winter from May to August average minimum 7°C

Hout Bay Time Zone: GMT+2, no daylight savings necessary. (Legend has it that Hout Bay time zone is five minutes slower than GMT+2 but nobody minds)

Population of Hout Bay: Last census in about 2001, about 23 000 - estimated to be about double today although estimates do vary from 30 000 to 60 000

Hout Bay Schools: Pre Primary: 4 Primary: 5 High School 3

The Hout Bay harbour is the 9th most visited tourist attraction in Cape Town and includes a yacht and boat marina, a working fishing fleet (and factories), a craft market, Mariners Wharf (best lobster in the city) and a couple of fish and chip outlets.